Hiram – Romeva Prcela, CPA, assistant professor of accounting will lead the Scarborough School of Business & Communication. Prcela came to Hiram in 2017 from Fairmount Santrol, where she was the Director of Tax, overseeing the preparation of tax-related disclosures, documentation and SEC filings. She was also a lecturer at Baldwin Wallace College in 2011.
Prcela, a certified public accountant, earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and her Master of Accountancy, Tax Concentration from Case Western Reserve University.
Christopher Ryan, M.F.A., associate professor of art and director, Gelbke Fine Arts Center Gallery will take the helm of the School of Arts, Humanities & Culture. Ryan came to Hiram in 2003 as Gallery Director – Gelbke Fine Arts Center. In 2009, he became an Associate Professor of Art, and the Chair of the Art Department in 2010.
Ryan earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from John Carroll University and his Master of Arts in Modern European History from The University of Virginia. He later earned a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in painting, drawing, printmaking from Studio Art Centers International – Florence, Italy and his Master of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing from Bowling Green State University.
Nicolas Hirsch, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, will lead the School of Science & Technology. Dr. Hirsch accepted a position at Hiram as an assistant professor in 2008 from Eastern Connecticut State University where he was a visiting assistant professor of biology. In 2017, he became the faculty chair.
Dr. Hirsch earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Chicago and his Doctorate in Biology from the University of California.
Brad Goodner, Ph.D., professor of biology, will lead the School of Health & Medical Humanities. Goodner joined Hiram’s faculty as an assistant professor in biology in 2001. He became an associate professor in 2003 and a professor in 2010. Prior to Hiram, Dr. Goodner was an Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Richmond.
Dr. Goodner earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Texas A&M and his Doctorate in Biology from Purdue University.
Jennifer McCreight, Ph.D., associate professor of education, will lead the School of Education, Civic Leadership & Social Change. Dr. McCreight joined Hiram’s faculty in 2011 as an instructor, becoming an assistant professor of education in 2013 and an associate professor of education in 2017.
Dr. McCreight is an alumna of Hiram College, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the College. She continued her education, earning her Master of Early Childhood Education from Georgia State University and her Doctorate in Language & Literacy Education from the University of Georgia.
“We are excited to welcome these five faculty to these critical roles in leading our five new Schools,” said Judith Muyskens, Ph.D., vice president of academic affairs and dean of the College. “Each of the directors played an integral role this past summer, working with the administration to bring the model of The New Liberal Arts to life.”
“These faculty have demonstrated leadership, collegiality, and enthusiasm during a time of significant change,” added Dr. Lori Varlotta, president of Hiram College. “I am pleased that they have agreed to lead our five new Schools, and I look forward to working with them as they set out in these inaugural roles.”
In May, the Board of Trustees approved a series of academic redesign recommendations that included organizing emerging and existing majors into one of five schools: School of Arts, Humanities & Culture; School of Business & Communication; School of Education, Civic Leadership & Social Change; School of Health & Medical Humanities; and the School of Science & Technology. In August, The Scarborough School of Business & Communication became the first school of the five to be named from a philanthropic gift.
